Lord Michael Cashman to Return as Eastenders First Ever Gay Character

Long time watchers of Eastenders may remember the character of Colin Russell, who left the show about 27 years ago.

Colin is, of course, played by actor-turned-Labor MEP Lord Michael Cashman. When Colin first appeared on Albert Square, he was Eastenders’ first ever gay character. He even made the headlines back in 1987, when he had the first gay kiss in a British soap opera.

Sadly, details around Lord Cashman’s return to the show are being kept under wraps, but his appearance in two episodes next month will apparently have a big impact on Dot Branning (June Brown).

Lord Cashman said: ““It was a real joy, indeed a privilege, to return to my old home of Albert Square. To be amongst so many friends again, and to be back in the place where 30 years ago I started an amazing journey, an amazing journey which incredibly helped to change the country, and certainly its attitude to lesbian, gay and bisexual people.”

“Arguably without EastEnders I would never have gone into politics; I would not have been one of the founders of Stonewall and its founding chair, and I would never have ended up where I am now.”

As he said, Lord Michael Cashman founded Stonewall in 1989, following his departure from Eastenders and also went on to become a Member of the European Parliament for the West Midlands in 1999. He was later appointed to the House of Lords in 2014.

What are your hopes for the return of Lord Cashman’s character Colin? Let us know onFacebook and Twitter.

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Lord Michael Cashman to Return as Eastenders First Ever Gay Character

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Lord Michael Cashamn will be returning to Eastenders as the show's first ever gay character, Colin Russell.